Dental Care During Pregnancy Long Beach CA
Dental Care During Pregnancy Long Beach CA

Dental Care During Pregnancy

Dental Care During Pregnancy Long Beach, CA

Are you pregnant? First, we’d like to say congratulations! This is such an exciting time, but preparing for your baby can also get hectic. With so much to prepare for, one of the last things on your mind might be your oral hygiene—which is totally understandable!

However, that doesn’t mean it’s any less important. In fact, it’s more important now than ever before. Maintaining good dental health during this time isn’t only good for you, it’s also good for your baby!

Our Dentist of Long Beach team is here to provide you with the best dental care during pregnancy.

Why Prenatal Dental Care Matters

When you learn what to expect when you’re expecting, there’s a good chance you haven’t learned about the importance of keeping up with good oral hygiene. It may seem insignificant, and with everything you have to prepare for, that’s totally understandable.

Still, it’s a common misconception that you shouldn’t overlook.

Hormonal changes in your body and changes in your diet can increase your risk of developing gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that causes redness, inflammation, and bleeding, and if left unnoticed and untreated, it can transform into periodontal disease.

How Can Periodontal Disease Affect Pregnancy?

While early stages of gum disease like gingivitis primarily affect the gums—and can be treated easier—periodontal disease puts you at risk of tooth loss. In addition, the decay and inflammation caused by periodontal disease are caused by bacteria in the mouth and can potentially affect your baby.

These harmful bacteria can lead to low birth weights in some babies and even premature birth.

Dental Care During Pregnancy Long Beach CA
Dental Care During Pregnancy in Long Beach CA

Why Does My Chance of Getting Cavities Increase During Pregnancy?

The influx of hormones you experience during pregnancy can leave you indulging in sugary snacks more often than usual. Unfortunately, these foods and drinks aggressively fuel bacteria in the mouth, leading to more plaque build-up.

While this is entirely normal, it makes good oral hygiene all the more critical.

Are There Other Oral Health Conditions That Can Impact My Pregnancy?

An increased sweet tooth isn’t the only thing that can increase your risk of cavities during pregnancy. Vomiting is another common occurrence that can harm your teeth. That’s because the acidity wears down the enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay.

Besides an increased likelihood of cavities, pregnant women can develop pyogenic granuloma. This disease creates small, raised, red bumps on the gums caused by the fluctuation of hormones. Visiting the Dentist of Long Beach for routine exams and cleanings can help prevent changes like this and address them effectively.

How Should I Care for My Teeth While Pregnant?

Twice-daily brushing and flossing are the standards for everyone to maintain good oral health, but it’s even more important during pregnancy. Since harmful bacteria can reach your baby, you must keep up with this habit.

However, it’s not the risk of bacteria and plaque build-up that are the only things affecting your dental health. The hormonal changes you face throughout your pregnancy can lead to more significant problems.

That’s why attending routine cleanings and exams at the Dentist of Long Beach is crucial for your prenatal health. Our team of dentists is experienced with prenatal dental care and will check your teeth and gums for signs of decay or disease.

We can identify potential issues and properly treat and prevent them.

Make prenatal dental care a priority so you—and your baby—can enjoy a happy, healthy pregnancy.

Contact our friendly team at Dentist of Long Beach today to receive the best dental care during pregnancy!

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